It’s happened to all of us after a day trekking around on a snowy day—we come inside with boots covered in rock salt and leave them by the door only to pick them up the next day and find a gritty coating or a stain on the hardwood floor. Here’s how to prevent ice melt from doing any more damage:

1) Use a boot tray.

A pound of prevention is worth an ounce of cure—so before you tackle new stains every day this winter, start using a boot tray to store your wet shoes between wears. This waterproof tray from Ottomanson will keep rock salt off your floors in the first place. If you do track something past the tray, don’t wait to address the problem.

2) Sweep or vacuum first.

Before tackling any rock salt stains, clear off any remaining crystals by sweeping or vacuuming your floors. Skip this step and you might not notice a stray rock salt crystal until it’s permanently damaged your finished.

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3) Use a cleaner trusted by professionals.

For that gritty rock salt residue, try a cleaner that professionals use and recommend. This Basic Coatings Squeaky Cleaner should be diluted and applied with a mop or spray bottle. It’s known for removing tough residues and leaving hardwood floors shiny.